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Rate My Custom Headstock Logo!
- Thread starter -=DanAtkinson=-
- Start date
I'm not justifying anything. Just stating my understanding of facts. It's every bit as factual to state that many people prefer Nash basses to Fenders. It probably makes you feel like a vampire in sunlight but it's a fact
Nope, couldn't care less. Fender isn't the be all and end all by any means. In fact, IME the vast majority of their product is mediocre at best.
Tenndollar. You're correct. That's why I'm having Dan do a Jaco relic body for me. His skills with paints and finishes trump mine any day of the weeek.
I agree that Fender isn't the best item out there. Many would agree that a company like Lakland, in a lot of cases puts out a vastly superior product. However, the market for Fender is much greater. It's brand recognition.
I like the look of the Fender, and their headstock. It's just an asthetics thing for me.
And that's the crux of the headstock matter and why Fender is well within it's rights to defend their trademarked designs.
It's not like any of those using the Fender headstock are actually a Fender but they sure try to look like them.
Yes, the non-Fender instruments could be very well be better than a real Fender but I'd think a proud assembler would want to have his work instantly identifiable especially if it's better than the product it imitates.
Outside of all the legal and headstock expert mumbo jumbo...
Personally, and IMHO, headstocks and logo's are way to much of a personal taste and opinion to really be handled effectively on a forum. The main thing in my opinion is that the person building the basses be 100% confident and happy with his logo and headstock and damn proud that he's putting it on everything he builds.
See roger sadowsky asking if you like his logo? No... he's confident in his quality.
See Alleva Coppolo asking? nope, yet people have said they dislike it. And the basses quality are exceptional.
Arguements can be made pro and con on every logo and headstock out there.
There are many many other hot or cold logo's and headstocks out there.
If the instruments kicks ass the rest becomes minor... unless of course the goal of the instrument is primarily to profit from knocking off designs and trademarks that another company has made popular. Even if that popularity is arguably due or not due to the ongoing quality of their instruments.
Come up with a logo you love and put it on instruments you love. People are going to love it or hate it no matter what you do or how much input you get.
But... I would seriously suggest you get real legal advice on what you CAN and SHOULD NOT do as far as infringing on Fender trademarks.
.
Personally, and IMHO, headstocks and logo's are way to much of a personal taste and opinion to really be handled effectively on a forum. The main thing in my opinion is that the person building the basses be 100% confident and happy with his logo and headstock and damn proud that he's putting it on everything he builds.
See roger sadowsky asking if you like his logo? No... he's confident in his quality.
See Alleva Coppolo asking? nope, yet people have said they dislike it. And the basses quality are exceptional.
Arguements can be made pro and con on every logo and headstock out there.
There are many many other hot or cold logo's and headstocks out there.
If the instruments kicks ass the rest becomes minor... unless of course the goal of the instrument is primarily to profit from knocking off designs and trademarks that another company has made popular. Even if that popularity is arguably due or not due to the ongoing quality of their instruments.
Come up with a logo you love and put it on instruments you love. People are going to love it or hate it no matter what you do or how much input you get.
But... I would seriously suggest you get real legal advice on what you CAN and SHOULD NOT do as far as infringing on Fender trademarks.
.
Right off the bat, it's an ash body in Lake Placid Blue, definitely a custom spec. The vintage Fenders were alder with ash being used only for the so-called "Natural Ash" finish of the 70's. Alder is the prevalent wood in modern Jazz and Precision shaped bodies today as well.
Looks good. I'm not sure I would put the .com address on there though.
IMO, I believe someone can just google your name and they can find the web site.
besides, what would happen if your domain name changed for some reason and then you have this out there that is no longer valid. ???
Just an opinion....
IMO, I believe someone can just google your name and they can find the web site.
besides, what would happen if your domain name changed for some reason and then you have this out there that is no longer valid. ???
Just an opinion....
Are you inferring that an assembler with NO pride uses the Fender blueprint to offer basses with colors and other various options that Fender doesn't sell?
I understand that one could make the point that people like Dan profit off of Leo's design, and don't explore new opportunities. However, the capitalist in me admires this business model. Once again, if there wasn't a need for it, the Nash's of the world wouldn't exist. Maybe if Fender had more finishing and hardware options, these other makers wouldn't see any business. Perhaps Fender should take a look at itself?
One could harp about pride, individuality, etc. At the end of the day, it's basic economincs (supply and demand).
At first that didn't make any sense to me but now I think I see where you're going.
Color or features has nothing to do with what I posted, I'm addressing the point about using Fender's trademarked headstock shape. Maybe it could also extend to body shapes and pickup layouts but those aren't trademarked so they're fair game even if copying them because "that's what sells" is kind of "me too".
I see what your saying regarding using the headstock design. While not as creative or legally safe as a unique design, It's familiar, and a huge selling point. I just think the idea is pretty cool for the price.
Oh really? I guess those non natural Ash Fenders that I've owned over the years were my imagination then.
I've seen, and owned, and played more than one 70's ash Fender, that were not the so called "Natural Ash" finish.
Even my Antigua (totaly opaque Finish) Fender was Ash.
Here's a pic of a 70's Sunburst Ash P (definitly NOT "Natural ash" color, but DEFINITLY ash)
in a current front page thread here.I'll admit though that an LPB in Ash would be unusuall, but with Fender , you just never know... particularly on a 70's vintage model.
Holy cow. I drop off TB for a couple of days and this thread is still going! 
Gotta go back over the last couple of pages and respond...
Gotta go back over the last couple of pages and respond...
Well, it's not like I'm treading into uncharted waters here. There are other builders, much bigger than me, who've been doing this for years and have sold hundreds of instruments. Fender hasn't made them stop. I'm just doing something other guys have been doing before me, with a slightly different twist.
Thank you, sir. Affordability is what got me into making basses for myself in the first place. I simply could not find a bass on the market with the features and look that I had in mind. So I built one myself. Then another. And another...
I'm really just trying to "bridge the gap" in the market. People have a ton of options in the $1,500+ category. But not so much in the sub $1,000 category.
Man, just do your thing then. It sounds though like you're doing it pretty well based on the response. I guess it means that if you do it too well and start getting attention, you will then have to make some adjustments. Can always cross that bridge later as long as it doesn't cross a large stretch of water.
I think that's the main thing folks are saying. Its up to you to chart it how you wish. Do your thing man. I think most folks wish you well and really don't want to see you stumped by some pitfall. That's the gist I get of all this thread.
Bassgod76 said it perfectly. Custom is defined as "made to order". Customers tell me what look they want, what electronics, what hardware, and I make it happen. I'm not pretending it's rocket science. But some guys don't have the knowledge, time, or desire to do it themselves.
